News & Insights

Richardson, Texas — Halff Associates, Inc. (Halff), one of the nation’s leading engineering/architecture consulting firms, is pleased to announce David McCaskill has joined its corporate headquarters with nearly 40 years of public and private experience in landscape architecture. In his new role at Halff, he will assist in leading the […] ...

Urban trail planning generally begins with a line drawn on a map. Sometimes the line evolves into something we can see and touch and experience, such as an active transportation trail. When that happens, it becomes meaningful for citizens ...

The A/E/C industry is ever-changing because of technology, improved processes, strategies, project delivery methods, the workforce and much more. And we love content that is educational, thought-provoking and inspiring. So we thought we’d share. Here are five articles that caught our eye this week to help keep you ...

The A/E/C industry is ever-changing because of technology, improved processes, strategies, project delivery methods, the workforce and much more. And we love content that is educational, thought-provoking and inspiring. So we thought we’d share. Here are five articles that caught our eye this week to help keep you ...

The A/E/C industry is ever-changing because of technology, improved processes, strategies, project delivery methods, the workforce and much more. And we love content that is educational, thought-provoking and inspiring. So we thought we’d share. Here are five articles that caught our eye this week to help keep you ...

Halff employees have been dedicated to solving problems and creating sustainable solutions since the firm was founded 69 years ago. Halff’s Software Development practice plays a large role in finding those solutions by providing innovative tools ...

Transportation Team Leader and Senior Project Manager Mark Llewellyn Jr. has been named Young Engineer of the Year by the Big Bend chapter of the Florida Engineering Society (FES). Each year, one member of FES earns this ...

Project Manager Jacob Hays has been named the Young Engineer of the Year by the Fort Worth chapter of the Texas Society of Professional Engineers (TSPE). This award is presented to individuals less than 34 years old who exhibit outstanding ...

The A/E/C industry is ever-changing because of technology, improved processes, strategies, project delivery methods, the workforce and much more. And we love content that is educational, thought-provoking and inspiring. So we thought we’d share. Here are five articles that caught our eye this week to help keep you ...

Engineers Week provides an opportunity to showcase how engineers make a difference in our world. Volunteers serving in the Engineers Without Borders program live by that guiding principle every day. The organization, which was officially founded in 2002 by Dr. Bernard Amadei in Boulder, Colorado ...

The A/E/C industry is ever-changing because of technology, improved processes, strategies, project delivery methods, the workforce and much more. And we love content that is educational, thought-provoking and inspiring. So we thought we’d share. Here are five articles that caught our eye this week to help keep you ...

Halff Associates, Inc. (Halff), one of the nation’s leading engineering/architecture consulting firms, is pleased to announce Mike Watson has joined Halff+Marlar's Little Rock office as a business development manager with 40 years of experience in public service and surveying. ...

One element that distinguishes a good city from a great city is its parks. Parks improve the quality of our lives—whether we use them for recreation, connectivity, socialization or to recharge our spirits. Parks are an investment in our society ...

Halff Associates, Inc. (Halff), one of the nation’s leading engineering/architecture consulting firms, is pleased to announce Chris Caron, PE, has joined Halff South Texas transportation director. Chris joins Halff with 30 years of experience ...

The A/E/C industry is ever-changing because of technology, improved processes, strategies, project delivery methods, the workforce and much more. And we love content that is educational, thought-provoking and inspiring. So we thought we’d share. Here are five articles that caught our eye this week to help keep you ...

The A/E/C industry is ever-changing because of technology, improved processes, strategies, project delivery methods, the workforce and much more. And we love content that is educational, thought-provoking and inspiring. So we thought we’d share. Here are five articles that caught our eye this week to help keep you ...

The 2018 APA Texas Conference last fall included a workshop titled, “Flood Safe Texas—Collaborative and Modern Approaches.” The key word in that title is collaborative. Collaboration certainly is not a new concept, but it can be ...

The A/E/C industry is ever-changing because of technology, improved processes, strategies, project delivery methods, the workforce and much more. And we love content that is educational, thought-provoking and inspiring. So we thought we’d share. Here are five articles that caught our eye this week ...

Oklahoma is among the top oil and natural gas-producing states in the country. Despite the state’s overall number of working rigs decreasing slightly late last year and early in 2019, the “Sooner State” boasts 14 of the nation’s 100 largest ...

The A/E industry is ever-changing because of technology, improved processes, strategies, project delivery methods, the workforce and much more. And we love content that is educational, thought-provoking and inspiring. So we thought we’d share. Here are five articles that caught our eye this week ...

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is a diverse organization. One of its many missions is to develop and manage the nation’s water resources. USACE, acting under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, serves as the regulatory agent issuing permits ...

America’s deteriorating infrastructure has been widely documented over the last few years. The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) estimates the U.S. needs to spend $4.5 trillion by 2025 to fix the nation’s roads, bridges, dams, water systems ...

OKLAHOMA, Oklahoma — Halff Associates, Inc. (Halff), one of the nation’s leading engineering/architecture consulting firms, is pleased to announce Scott Barrett, PE, has joined its Oklahoma City office as vice president and operations manager. ...

Trails are a great way to provide recreational opportunities. They are a means of connectivity within a community and can also serve as a tourism destination. While providing transportation, trails can offer conservation and educational benefits. Trails have been proven to boost a community’s image and economic value ...

Unmanned aircraft systems, better known as drones, are making a significant impact in the A/E industry—useful for a number of meaningful applications. In subsequent articles, topics such as quality control, data validation and project deliverables ...

Survey Manager Coleen Johnson, RPLS, PMP, of Halff’s Austin office has been appointed by Texas Governor Greg Abbott to the Texas Board of Professional Land Surveying (TBPLS). She will serve a four-year term that expires in January 2023. ...

Halff Associates, Inc. (Halff), one of the nation’s leading engineering/architecture consulting firms, is pleased to announce Rusty Steel has joined its Oklahoma City office as a geospatial manager with experience providing ...

Halff Associates, Inc. (Halff), one of the nation’s leading engineering/architecture consulting firms, is pleased to announce James Barr, PE, has joined its Halff+Marlar office in Little Rock as a senior transportation engineer. ...

One of the hottest topics this year among water experts and managers has not been about water itself. The topic? Data. It was deemed so important that Texas’ leading water data stakeholders were invited to Austin in April to participate in a workshop. ...

Flood risk is top of mind for many municipalities and residents within those communities because of severe storm events in recent years. Texas suffered more flood-related fatalities in 2017 than any other state, by far, according ...

There will be a hearing November 14–15, 2018, in which the Sunset Commission will present its decision about the discontinuation of the regulation of Professional Geoscientists in Texas. If the Texas Board of Professional Geoscientists is abolished ...

Comprehensive plans guide the future of many cities throughout the country. They are a direct outgrowth of the two standard state enabling acts published by the U.S. Department of Commerce in the 1920s. For many states, these Standard Acts ...

Landscape Architect Tyler Richburg of Halff's Austin office was recently appointed to serve on two American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) committees: the Associate Advisory Committee and the Leadership Development Committee. ...

Residents often don’t have much reaction time to prepare or evacuate when a flood strikes, especially in smaller watersheds. But what if our communities knew with greater confidence what areas would flood during a rainfall event? ...

Imagine being dropped right into the middle of traffic on Interstate 635E, which loops around Dallas. It’s a version of the highway you have never seen before. Look around. You experience wide-open expanses, elevation changes and new traffic patterns. Not only are you seeing what this new interstate looks like ...

The Greater Dallas Section of the Texas District of the Institute of Transportation Engineers (TexITE) recently awarded a scholarship to Halff intern Mynor Jacome for the second consecutive year. Mynor was one of two recipients to receive the highest scholarship award amount. ...

Halff Associates, Inc. (Halff), one of the nation’s leading engineering/architecture consulting firms, is proud to announce Gary N. Oradat, PE, has joined Halff’s headquarters in Richardson as director of Water Utilities. ...

Vice President Jessica Baker was recently named to ENR's national Top 20 Under 40 list after being selected at the regional level for Texas and Louisiana. At ENR's invitation, Jessica traveled to San Francisco in June to participate ...

Halff Associates, Inc. (Halff), one of the nation’s leading engineering/architecture consulting firms, has announced that Marlar Engineering Co., Inc. of North Little Rock, Arkansas, has joined Halff. ...

Right of way is defined by Merriam-Webster as an easement or servitude over another's land conferring a right of passage. However, it is more particulary described as a strip of land used as a roadbed—for street, highway or railway—or for
...

Who pays for our highways? And how? Those are multibillion-dollar questions today in Texas, where highways are becoming more congested due to skyrocketing population growth, and a funding shortfall exists to address all high-demand projects. The attempt to mitigate congestion is often outweighed by other critical ...

Sports teams will often hold scrimmages—or practice games—that involve team members competing against each other. The goal of these scrimmages is to improve players’ individual performances while helping teams discover their own strengths. ...

Local governments have an important decision to make before committing to widen a roadway, add a turn lane or even construct a new recreational trail for residents. Will they accept federal funding for the project? Federal grant programs assist ...

Summer is often thought of as a time for a nice getaway. Many people across the country take to the coasts for a relaxing vacation on the beach, while others retreat to the mountains to leave the hustle and bustle of city life behind for a few days. Some even venture to an […] ...

Hurricane Katrina made landfall near New Orleans in 2005 and wreaked havoc on built-up areas of the Gulf Coast. The Caribbean, Eastern United States and Gulf Coast areas were then visited by devastating hurricanes Irma, Maria and Harvey in 2017. ...

Employees from Halff's Richardson office improved the curb appeal of a home last week during an HCI effort in Plano, Texas. The volunteerism was for Emily’s Place, which provides long-term housing and counseling for women ...

Halff has won several awards from the Zweig Group recognizing our achievements in the A/E industry. First, Halff was named to the Zweig Group's 2018 "Best Firms to Work For" list based on a variety of factors, such as our workplace practices, employee benefits, retention rates and more. ...

Most of us cringe. That is, when we’re asked to sketch any semblance of a person or a face. Even in the simplest of board games, the challenge of drawing can cause sheer terror. Landscape designer Letora Anderson is not one of those people. ...

HCI volunteers from the Houston and Conroe offices spent Saturday, May 12, volunteering and teaming with Rebuilding Together Houston (RTH). Together, they helped restore the home of Ms. Betty in the Garden Oaks area of Houston. ...

RICHARDSON, Texas — Halff Associates, Inc. (Halff), one of the nation’s leading engineering/architecture consulting firms, is proud to announce Tim James has joined Halff’s headquarters in Richardson as a business development manager with more ...

Sustainability is a cornerstone of most buildings designed today. Sustainable design preserves critical resources such as energy and water, and incorporates materials that are environmentally friendly. What can be done about older, existing buildings? ...

AUSTIN, Texas — Halff Associates, Inc. (Halff), one of the nation’s leading engineering/architecture consulting firms, is proud to announce Shaun Cranston has joined Halff’s Austin office as director of Land Development Services. ...

Common sense tells us it is much easier and more attractive to develop land that hasn’t been touched. A greenfield site, which has not previously been used for any residential, commercial or industrial purpose, offers a clean slate and a multitude ...

Take a step back in time for a moment and imagine yourself trekking across Plano, Texas, 150 years ago. If you prefer a South Texas suburb, settle in Katy. Or head north to Oklahoma City. Prairie lands exist as far as you can see. ...

Land surveying is often a tale of the classic five W’s. However, the "where" part of the equation is the most important part of surveying. Surveyors provide information about where things are, such as boundary lines or physical features on the ground. They can tell us where future boundary lines or physical features are wanted. ...

Merriam-Webster defines destination as "a place worthy of travel or an extended visit." In the landscape architecture world, that destination could be a park, an urban plaza or even a walkway that connects points of interest within a community.
Destination parks all have stories ...

Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria have altered parts of Texas, Florida and the Caribbean forever. As a result, new criteria and standards for flood control/stormwater features are being examined closely. ...

It is known to oil and gas firms as Regulation 29 CFR 1910.119. Its purpose: “This section contains requirements for preventing or minimizing the consequences of catastrophic releases of toxic, reactive, flammable or explosive chemicals ...

Vice President Jessica Baker (Richardson), PE, CFM, PMP, was recently named to ENR Texas and Louisiana’s 2018 Top Young Professionals list. Formerly the publication’s Top 20 Under 40 list, firms from across Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi ...

What do bioswales, detention/retention basins, vegetated rooftops, permeable pavers, constructed wetlands and rain barrels have in common? They are low impact development features that assist in managing stormwater runoff. ...

Ah, stress. You know it well. It’s that anxiety that overcomes you when all you can see is an ocean of red brake lights in front of you on the interstate. Breathe. The average rush-hour commuter in America spends 42 hours per year sitting in gridlock ...

Team Leader and Director of Planning Matt Bucchin (Austin) was named the division chair of the American Planning Association’s (APA) Sustainable Communities Division (SCD) on Jan. 1. He will be the division chair until Dec. 31, 2020.
As division chair ...

Think about the most exciting places to go in your community. In many cases, they are where the water and the land meet—edges of streams or lakes or even oceans. Those areas create interest, value and opportunity. They are where the energy is at. Throughout the last century, many of the […] ...

Ethics have been an integral part of Halff Associates since Dr. Albert H. Halff opened a one-room office in Dallas’ Snider Plaza 67 years ago. For proof that ethics are still as important as ever within the firm, look no further than Halff’s Torch Awards for Ethics honor received from […] ...

Knowing where utility lines are located is critical. No owner wants to encounter a surprise during construction, which could ultimately delay a project and increase costs dramatically. Safety is a primary concern as well, especially when encountering natural gas or petroleum pipelines. ...

There’s just something about nature that keeps drawing Fort Worth GIS Team Leader Matt Kocian outside. Whether it’s the wildlife, the open air, the possibility of an adventure, or the opportunity for a serene retreat from the hustle and bustle of city living, Matt likes to experience the natural world as frequently as he can ...

Allison, Katrina, Sandy, and Harvey are names that will forever be synonymous with the United States—for all the wrong reasons. They were each the “perfect storm” that left cities and regions underwater, shattered lives, and caused billions of dollars in property damage. Tropical Storm Allison blew into Texas in June […] ...

Imagine putting on a pair of goggles and being transported into a new world—a world so vivid and responsive it tricks your brain into believing you’ve left behind your physical reality. Envision yourself taking a virtual trip to the top deck of the ...

Virtual reality is on the rise, and many industries are making the most of it to give customers and clients a vivid, “otherworldly” experience. Here are some unique ways VR is making an entrance into our everyday lives. ...

If you type “Section 404 of the Clean Water Act” or “Waters of the United States” into an internet browser, you will see a list of links rooted in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and even schools of law. ...

Even in the South—where the highways are wide, the distances are great, and the summer heat is oppressive—there is a growing demand for facilities that support bicycling and walking. Could it be that we are ready to ride our bikes to the office? Walk to the grocery store? Shun our trucks for pedals or walking shoes? ...

LiDAR is a lot like a five-tool baseball player. It is extremely versatile and excels at helping us accomplish greater things. LiDAR is such a dynamic technology that it is used for an array of tasks such as floodplain modeling, urban planning, coastline ...

Halff's Visualization practice was honored with two prestigious silver Telly Awards this summer. The Telly is the preeminent award that recognizes outstanding content for TV and cable, digital and streaming, and non-broadcast distribution. Halff ...

RICHARDSON, Texas — Halff Associates, Inc. (Halff), one of the nation’s leading engineering/architecture consulting firms, was recently named the winner of the 2017 Better Business Bureau (BBB) Torch Awards for Ethics in the large business ...

Little did Erik Verduzco know, he would become a first responder—pulling people from high water, shuttling them to a nearby shelter, providing comfort. After all, he was just trying to make his eight-mile drive to Halff’s Houston office to see what kind of shape the building was in while Hurricane Harvey ...

Congratulations to our McAllen office’s Electrical Team Leader Jose Delgado, PE, who recently earned his Registered Communications Distribution Designer (RCDD) designation from the Building Industry Consulting Service International (BICSI). The RCDD accreditation is recognized worldwide and is one of the highest design ...

AUSTIN, Texas — Halff Associates, Inc. (Halff), one of the nation’s leading engineering/architecture consulting firms, is proud to announce Van Short, PE, has joined Halff as Transportation Team Leader in the Austin office. Van brings to Halff ...

AUSTIN, Texas — Halff Associates, Inc. (Halff), one of the nation’s leading engineering/architecture consulting firms, is proud to announce Steven Miller, PE, has joined Halff as Vice President and Transportation Practice Leader based in our ...

RICHARDSON, Texas — Halff Associates, Inc. (Halff), one of the nation’s leading engineering/architecture consulting firms, is proud to announce that Terry Helms has joined Halff as a Vice President of Architecture in our Richardson and Houston ...

Halff seeks to provide internships full of customized learning opportunities for college students each summer. To achieve this goal, the Halff intern experience focuses on three important methods of learning ...

Halff seeks to provide internships full of customized learning opportunities for college students each summer. To achieve this goal, the Halff intern experience focuses on three important methods of learning ...

LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas – Halff Associates, Inc. (Halff), one of the nation’s leading engineering/architecture consulting firms, has opened an office in Little Rock at 10411 W. Markham St., Suite 320. The firm is excited to offer a full range of engineering ...

FORT WORTH, Texas — Halff Associates, Inc. (Halff), one of the nation’s leading engineering/architecture consulting firms, is proud to announce that Preston Dillard has joined Halff as a senior project manager in the Water Utilities ...

HOUSTON, Texas — Halff Associates Director of Planning and Landscape Architecture Tim May, PLA, LEED AP, was honored with the Distinguished Member Award by the Texas Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) ...

Retrospect is a yearly exhibit, hosted by the American Institute of Architects Dallas at NorthPark Center, that gives local architecture firms an opportunity to showcase their work. The theme for this year's competition is "Cultivate." ...